During his six-year college career at Kansas, Jalon Daniels was never seen as a sure thing to make it to the NFL. He certainly wasn’t viewed as a prospect who was likely to be a starting quarterback in the NFL as a rookie.
But that’s exactly what Daniels is today: the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers against the Packers. Baker Mayfield is out, and Daniels, an undrafted rookie, is the next man up. He says he is ready.
“I don’t even know if I can put it into words,” Daniels said. “It’s a dream come true. It’s a dream come true to even play for an NFL organization. To be able to go out there and get my first start in the NFL, it means everything.”
As is usually the case for an undrafted rookie, Daniels had gotten very few practice reps with the first offense until last week when Mayfield got hurt. But he says he is prepared as a starter.
“Every week I prepare like I’m going to do the starting reps,” Daniels said.
The 0-3 Buccaneers desperately need a win. If Daniels can do it, it will be one of the most surprising stories of this NFL season.